Bass Drum Mic Placement/EQ

  • Thread starter Thread starter enferno
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enferno

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Hey all. I need some advice on placement of my microphone for my kick mic. Currently, I have it placed halfway between the inner and outter head, pointed slightly off center twords the beater. Here is a sample using my large diaphram kick mic: http://si.babts.net/8.wav

i have tried placing the mic closer to the beater, closer to the outside head, and even outside the outter head.

My Eq is +2 @ 80 Hz, -3 @ 300 Hz, +2 @ 12KHz

is there anything that you guys can help me out with here?
 
Not bad at all - the tone seems about right. If you want my tips on kick recording though, here they are:

For one, if you are recording to analog tape, EQ to tape. This may sound strange, but if you EQ /before/ tape compression, you'll get far greater sound when you play back.

I've tried off-center miking of the kick a few times, and I never like it. I usually point it straight at the beater.

But, the best thing to do is sit in the control room and have an assistant move the mic around. Start with back and forth movement, and signal the assistant when it sounds the best.

If you don't have this luxury, and many don't, just keep trying.

Also, what microphone are you using?

Many times, I have great success with mics people don't typically think of as 'kick' mics. I've used the MD-421 a few times, and I've heard the RE-20 can work out good too. It really depends on what you're going for - snappy, muffled, ass-kicker, midrange, background... there are so many ways to record, and mix, a kick.

Moving the mic around though, thats really really important. I've seen a 1/2 inch move make the biggest improvement.
 
I think the second one would sound better with all of the drums, and accompanying music. Give it a shot...
 
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I like the second one better, but either one would probably work.
 
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